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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 1h

The word of the week in our MAC Football Power Rankings was "tie". Six of the 13 teams are in a tie with one another in the middle of the table, showing there's still a lot to play for as we enter the halfway point of the season: www.bythebelt.com/mac-football...

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2026 MAC Football Power Rankings: Week 5

A surprising amount of ties dot the rankings this week!

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 14h

The Central Michigan Chippewas and Ohio Bobcats both stand at 3-2 overall and 1-0 in MAC play. Now the two dark-horse title candidates square off against one another in Athens, hoping to keep pace atop the league standings: www.bythebelt.com/central-mich...

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2026 MAC Football Week 6 Game Preview: Central Michigan Chippewas at Ohio Bobcats

Familiar fall scenes play out as the race for a MAC title bid heats up.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 19h

Two teams with a win apiece are set to face off this Saturday, as the Sacramento State Hornets travel cross-country after a BYE week to play the Bowling Green Falcons for a game scheduled for a noon Eastern/9 a.m. Pacific kickoff: www.bythebelt.com/sacramento-s...

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2026 MAC Football Week 6 Game Preview: Sacramento State Hornets at Bowling Green Falcons

The Hornets come out of the bye looking to fix their slow starts against a Falcons team fresh off its first win of the season.

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Andrew Graham says sub to Mitten Football @andegraham.bsky.social · 20h

It's popular enough that it got Eastern Michigan, one of the most resource-strapped schools in the FBS, to add it as a sport (in part because it's such a low-cost add) for this coming spring.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 20h

Both the Miami RedHawks and UMass Minutemen are coming off shocking losses in last week's games. Now they look to get right against one another-- with the loser potentially out of the MAC title chase in early October: www.bythebelt.com/umass-minute...

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2026 MAC Football Week 6 Game Preview: UMass Minutemen vs. Miami RedHawks

The RedHawks and Minutemen both come off shocking losses and need a win to stay in the MAC title chase.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 23h

The Toledo Rockets have won four-straight games in 2026 and their last nine in the friendly confines of the Glass Bowl. Their next challenger is Buffalo, which proved it can compete with the MAC's elite, falling one yard short of beating Western Michigan last week: www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

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2026 MAC Football Week 6 Game Preview: Buffalo Bulls at Toledo Rockets

Toledo eyes a fifth-straight victory. Buffalo still seeks its first FBS win of 2026.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The Western Michigan Broncos carry a 10-1 record in their last 11 MAC games coming into their contest against the Kent State Golden Flashes. The winner of this game will get to keep a 2-0 conference record, making it a vital get for both sides this weekend: www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

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2026 MAC Football Week 6 Game Preview: Kent State Golden Flashes at Western Michigan Broncos

Either the Flashes or Broncos collect their second MAC win Saturday in Kalamazoo.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Elijah Holmes, UB's Week 1 starter at QB, is officially out for the season with a knee injury suffered earlier in the season, per The Buffalo News. Jason Wright will be the expected starter for the rest of the 2026 campaign: www.bythebelt.com/buffalo-bull...

bythebelt.com

Buffalo QB Elijah Holmes to undergo season-ending knee surgery

Holmes, a Division II transfer who won the starting QB role at UB, has been out since the FIU game in Week 2.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

ICMI: Week 5 was chaos week in the MAC! Our thoughts and takeaways from a wild week which featured Bowling Green’s first win, UMass’ first loss and some other unexpected performances: www.bythebelt.com/monday-mac-m...

bythebelt.com

Monday MAC Musings: 2026 Week 5

Week 5 proved we know nothing about the MAC, and this conference is still a random number generator.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The difference between Buffalo and Western Michigan was one yard-- and that difference was made by Josh Franklin and Scoop Gardner Jr., who stuffed the Bulls at the goal line to extend WMU's MAC winning streak over the weekend: www.bythebelt.com/decided-by-a...

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Decided by a yard: Western Michigan stuffs Buffalo for 20-17 escape

Scoop Gardner Jr. and Josh Franklin team up for a clutch stop to continue Western Michigan's MAC winning streak.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Bowling Green is on the board with a win-- and a road upset at that. The Falcons used three sacks from Eriq George, a career day from Jay Kastantin, and a fullback dive from Leo Kemp to stun Miami (OH), 24-20, in a crunch time finish on Saturday: www.bythebelt.com/bowling-gree...

bythebelt.com

Bowling Green stuns Miami (OH) 24-20 on late TD, collects first win of 2026

Leo Kemp's fullback dive snaps the Falcons' losing streak in a massive road upset.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It was a party in Amherst on Saturday afternoon, with a sold-out crowd eager to cheer on the home team. But Eastern Michigan would prove to be a spoiler, dominating UMass wire-to-wire in a vital victory for EMU's MAC ambitions: www.bythebelt.com/eastern-mich...

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Eastern Michigan humbles UMass in 38-14 victory

The Eagles snatch their second MAC win in front of a sold-out crowd in Amherst, Mass.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The Ohio Bobcats pulled out a tough road win over the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday, taking advantage of two KSU special teams gaffes to win on the margins: www.bythebelt.com/kent-state-g...

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Kent State's special teams miscues allows Ohio to slip by with 13-10 road win

'Cats claim gritty road win over a determined Golden Flashes squad.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Toledo had something to prove on Saturday, needing to win on the road to show they're a legitimate title contender after three-straight home wins. They did so against Ball State on Saturday, taking an unconventional 39-24 victory at Scheumann Stadium: www.bythebelt.com/toledo-rocke...

bythebelt.com

Toledo kicks into high gear in 39-24 road win over Ball State

The Rockets' first-half woes were erased quickly by game's end.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

CMU and Akron fought in bitter, ugly fashion over the first 17 minutes of game action. But after getting punched in the gut first, Central would go on a 28-point unanswered run in the middle quarters to put the Zips away by a final score of 41-17: www.bythebelt.com/central-mich...

bythebelt.com

Chippewas trounce Zips 41-17 on Homecoming Day

Flores (154 rushing yards, two total TDs) paces a furious CMU offense in electric victory.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Your final scores on the day: * WMU 20, Buffalo 17 * Toledo 39, Ball State 24 * Central Michigan 41, Akron 17 * Bowling Green 24, Miami 20 * Ohio 13, Kent State 10 * Eastern Michigan 38, UMass 14

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Score updates as all our games reach the fourth quarter: * Ohio 13, Kent State 10 (10:19 4Q) * Eastern Michigan 35, UMass 7 (12:17 4Q) * Bowling Green 17, Miami 17 (4:21 4Q) * Central Michigan 35, Akron 10 (7:25 4Q)

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Looking to join the conversation about the 3:30 MAC games? We've got you covered right here, with game updates and a comments section: www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

bythebelt.com

2026 MAC Football Week 5 Late Gameday Feed and Analysis

Four games? At the same kickoff time?? In this time of year???

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Updating your MAC scores here: * Toledo 22, Ball State 10 (2:46 3Q) * Western Michigan 20, Buffalo 17 (FINAL) * Ohio 3, Kent State 3 (7:22 2Q) * Akron 7, Central Michigan 7 (9:44 2Q) * BGSU 7, Miami 3 (6:47 2Q) * EMU 7, UMass 0 (7:38 2Q)

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

SAF Eli Thompson, LB Charlie Christopher and OL CJ Dawson II amongst those listed OUT for Ohio. QB Nick Poulos officially QUESTIONABLE after missing the last few games. LB Sayed Abuhamdeh QUESTIONABLE for Kent State.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Both SAF Preston EstoEsta and EDGE Myles Bradley are QUESTIONABLE for Bowling Green. QB David McComb officially listed as OUT-- but notably not included in the "out for season" portion of Miami's report. TE Christian Ross is also OUT. DL Marcus Moore is questionable.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Toledo EDGE Andrew Zock is injured after a three-yard run by Ball State, and there is attention being paid to his left arm/shoulder area. He's on the sidelines for now

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Your current MAC scores: * Buffalo 14, Western Michigan 7 (5:28 2Q) * Toledo 0, Ball State 0 (set to kick off momentarily)

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Notables on the availability report for Toledo/Ball State: Toledo: * Starting OLs Luke Rector and Jonathan Harder are OUT. Ball State: * Starting WR Isaiah Thatcher is OUT. * QB Keldrick Luster, HB Jalen Bonds and LB Lucas Szymborski are QUESTIONABLE. * HB Ty Horton unlisted.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Western Michigan/Buffalo is set to kick off in a few minutes, while Toledo/Ball State is set to get started at 2 p.m. ET! Join us for all the action in our gameday thread: www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

bythebelt.com

2026 MAC Football Week 5 Early Gameday Feed and Analysis

Two MAC games grace us in the early window to kick off the MAC season.

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Sickos Committee @sickoscommittee.org · 03/10/2026

OH NO

College GameDay
@CollegeGameDay
·
2m
Never thought we’d see the day, @SickosCommittee 🤝

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Availability reports are out for the Western Michigan/Buffalo contest. WMU: * SAF Micah Davis OUT * WR Aveion Chenault QUESTIONABLE Buffalo: * WR Jasiah Gathings, QB Elijah Holmes, HB Terrance Shelton Jr. all OUT

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

There's a new #1 in our MAC Football Power Rankings this week after a revelatory week of games-- though it wasn't unanimous who that team might be: www.bythebelt.com/mac-football...

bythebelt.com

2026 MAC Football Power Rankings: Week 4

There's a new #1 on top of the charts for the first time this season!

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The Toledo Rockets get ready for their first MAC game of the season, with a road contest against the Ball State Cardinals-- who are already down a game in the league table after a loss last week-- this Saturday: www.bythebelt.com/ball-state-c...

bythebelt.com

2026 MAC Football Week 5 Game Preview: Ball State Cardinals vs. Toledo Rockets

Toledo starts their MAC campaign on the road against a wounded Cardinals squad.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Western Michigan and Buffalo gave us a 71-68 seven-overtime thriller nine years ago. So what's in store this Saturday, when the teams enter with identical 2-2 records, albeit completely different pathways to get there? www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

bythebelt.com

2026 MAC Football Week 5 Game Preview: Western Michigan Broncos at Buffalo Bulls

Western Michigan and Buffalo once gave us a 7OT classic. What's in store for this MAC opener?

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Both UMass and Eastern Michigan enter their upcoming game with a MAC win in hand. But their circumstances coming in couldn't be more different, with EMU needing a win to stay on pace for a bowl game, while UMass keeps aiming for history: www.bythebelt.com/eastern-mich...

bythebelt.com

2026 Week 5 MAC Football Game Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles at UMass Minutemen

The mighty Minutemen face yet another challenge: winning in front of a projected sold-out crowd as a favorite.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

There's a new #1 in our MAC Football Power Rankings this week after a revelatory week of games-- though it wasn't unanimous who that team might be: www.bythebelt.com/mac-football...

bythebelt.com

2026 MAC Football Power Rankings: Week 4

There's a new #1 on top of the charts for the first time this season!

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Central Michigan head coach Matt Drinkall says he thinks "50 times a day" about losing to Akron in 2025. Now, CMU gets set to host the Akron Zips for their 2026 league opener this weekend, looking for revenge 364 days later: www.bythebelt.com/akron-zips-v...

bythebelt.com

2026 MAC Football Week 5 Game Preview: Akron Zips vs. Central Michigan Chippewas

An intriguing matchup of coaches takes center stage in this league play opener.

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Mike Ensminger Fan Account @laplanck.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

“foregone conclusion” Yeah sure no one involved in this has any agency, it’s all predestined

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Two teams suffering major injury questions are set to take the gridiron against one another this Saturday, as the Miami RedHawks host the Bowling Green Falcons: www.bythebelt.com/2026-mac-foo...

bythebelt.com

2026 MAC Football Week 5 Game Preview: Bowling Green Falcons at Miami (OH) RedHawks

David McComb and Myles Bradley are among the doubtful stars, as Miami hosts a struggling Bowling Green offense.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The Homecoming crowd at Dix Stadium is set to get a treat of a matchup on Saturday afternoon, as the Kent State Golden Flashes welcome the Ohio Bobcats to town: www.bythebelt.com/ohio-bobcats...

bythebelt.com

2026 MAC Football Week 5 Game Preview: Ohio Bobcats at Kent State Golden Flashes

Conference play kicks off in earnest as the 'Cats head to Flash country.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

* Miami played the most exciting game of the week vs. UConn * BGSU may have found a defensive star to build upon in Myles Bradley * UMass dominates Sac State on the road to move to 4-0... All those thoughts and more in a Tuesday edition of the MAC Monday Musings: www.bythebelt.com/monday-mac-m...

bythebelt.com

Monday MAC Musings: 2026 Week 4

UMass is 4-0, as we all expected, while Miami and Toledo pick up impressive non-conference wins.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Miami QB David McComb, who left with an injury in the fourth quarter vs. UConn this weekend, is "very, very doubtful" to play against Bowling Green. Transfer QB Caleb Heavner is in line for the start: www.bythebelt.com/miami-oh-qb-...

bythebelt.com

Miami (OH) QB David McComb "very doubtful"; Caleb Heavner likely to start Week 5

McComb currently leads all FBS freshmen with with 1,121 passing yards.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

For a fleeting moment, Central Michigan caught the Miami [FL] Hurricanes off guard, drawing first blood on the scoreboard. But as expected, the 'Canes stormed back, overwhelming the Chippewas in a 52-3 win on Saturday night in Miami: www.bythebelt.com/miami-fl-hur...

bythebelt.com

Miami [FL] blows away Central Michigan in 52-3 victory

The Chippewas got the first jab in, but the 'Canes quickly raised the tempo in dominant win.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

A potential upset opportunity set up by their first-half performance did not go Akron's way in their game against UNLV on Saturday afternoon, as the Rebels would run away late in 38-10 loss: www.bythebelt.com/akron-zips-u...

bythebelt.com

Akron melts down in 38-10 loss to UNLV

The Zips kept pace to start, but a disastrous third quarter sank any thoughts of victory late.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

NEC foe Robert Morris took Buffalo to the wire on Saturday afternoon, but the homestanding Bulls did just enough to secure an important win before MAC play begins: www.bythebelt.com/buffalo-bull...

bythebelt.com

Buffalo skates by Robert Morris in 31-28 Homecoming win

Nerves were frayed throughout for the Homecoming crowd, as the Colonials took the Bulls to the wire.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Former SMU deputy AD Alex Gary has been named as Western Michigan's new athletics director. Gary, who was formerly AD at Western Carolina from 2020-24, was primarily responsible for establishing "Mustang Partners" in his one year at SMU: www.bythebelt.com/western-mich...

bythebelt.com

Western Michigan hires SMU deputy AD Alex Gary as athletic director

Gary was previously AD at Western Carolina from 2020-24 before joining SMU in 2025.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Stonehill Skyhawks delivered some initial jabs in their fight with the Ohio Bobcats on Saturday, taking a one-score margin into the third quarter, but the 'Cats found their way and eventually knocked Stonehill out with a 35-7 victory: www.bythebelt.com/ohio-bobcats...

bythebelt.com

Ohio Bobcats bludgeon Stonehill Skyhawks in 35-7 win

Ohio was in control from the start in a blowout victory.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Western Michigan was overwhelmed by the bright lights of a high-impact game for the College Football Playoff picture on Saturday afternoon, getting steamrolled at home by Boise State by a final score of 32-7: www.bythebelt.com/western-mich...

bythebelt.com

Western Michigan no match for Boise State in 32-7 CFP statement

Western Michigan was 63 seconds away from being shutout in a high-stakes home game.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Kent State dominated Ball State at the Dix on Saturday, doubling up the Cards by a final score of 26-13 to claim a crucial MAC-opening victory: www.bythebelt.com/kent-state-f...

bythebelt.com

Kent State flies past Ball State in MAC opener, 26-13

Dru DeShields accounts for three total touchdowns, and the Golden Flashes are 1-0 in MAC play.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Bowling Green Falcons dominated the first three quarters of action against the South Florida Bulls, but their inability to finish drives reared its head in tough 14-6 loss on Homecoming weekend: www.bythebelt.com/offensive-st...

bythebelt.com

Offensive struggles persist for Bowling Green in 14-6 loss to South Florida

The Falcons record a scoreless half for the third-straight game, fall to 0-4.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Miami RedHawks looked to be down and out late against UConn on Saturday, but some timely plays got them back into contention, allowing them to pull out their fifth regular season win over a non-conference FBS opponent since 2012: www.bythebelt.com/miami-oh-sto...

bythebelt.com

Miami (OH) storms back down 14, knocks off UConn, 24-21

David McComb dominates with 312 yards and 2 TD, but leaves with an injury.

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

UMass' dominant effort over Sacramento State overnight Saturday helps extend their historic winning streak, which now stretches to four wins-- and establishes them as the MAC's only undefeated outfit: www.bythebelt.com/umass-stays-...

bythebelt.com

UMass stays unbeaten with dominant win over Sac State

The Minutemen run for 232 yards and hold the Hornets out of the end zone in a 35-6 rout

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By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog @bythebelt.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Your final score from Hornet Stadium: UMass 35, Sacramento State 6. The Minutemen are now the only undefeated team left in the Mid-American Conference, sitting at 4-0 (1-0 MAC). This mark is also tied for most wins in a season as an FBS member since joining in 2012.

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Sickos Committee @sickoscommittee.org · 27/09/2026

UMASS GETS A PICK SIX AND LEADS 28-6

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